exsilium | iii sandglass

[The video clicks on and Susan's panting, she's taking a break, and there a lot of ... dead things around her. Twitching and groaning pieces of whatever it was that had been undead. Bits of blood splattered on her face, her clothes but she's made sure not to swallow a drop of it. The sword that she carries with her has been shoved in the ground, that same tacky red so thick it's black blood sticking to it's not quite visible blade. It suits that skull of a pommel so nicely. She's crouched down, arms resting on her knees as she talks.]

If anyone needs some help... feel free to ask. [there's a groan from off screen] Oh for the love of -- it's bad enough you're an abomination to death without point or purpose and are displaced, but couldn't you at least have the decency to shut up?

[she's growling, for her. Her mood is black. Black like her clothes, black like the streak in her hair. It's inherited. Grandfather got in such a foul mood when things didn't go his way, Susan wasn't any better as it turned out.] Honestly. This time of year. All I wanted was a nice, normal Hogswatch. With a nice normal family, where we all sat around giving presents. Then everything goes to bloody pieces -- and then I get sucked here instead.

These aren't even proper zombies! They're just mindless creatures. They don't even want to live really, zombies are supposed to want to live more than anything and get on with it! [she's ranting, she's really upset when it comes down to it. About everything. About this stupid situation, about her life is at odds again and she can't even fix it, about the auditors, about that this place doesn't make sense and people keep questioning her. But with no proper outlet, and with these monsters to kill, it's all bubbling up.] God, what would Grandfather even say? This goes against everything he is. If I ever find out who did this, I swear...

[There's another groan, and something else seems to be moving and she's fed up. Doesn't bother turning the device off. Just drops it and in one smooth move she pulls the blade from the ground. It is a clear shot of her. Or most of her. The zombie that is shambling towards her. She raises the blade up -- it's too big for her, wielding with two hands. Still it's wielded with no problem and the poor light glints off the skull. For a moment she's not Susan, she's seven foot tall with her cloak flaring out behind.]

Wʜᴇɴ I ᴋɪʟʟ ʏᴏᴜ -- ʏᴏᴜ sᴛᴀʏ ᴅᴇᴀᴅ! [the words aren't spoken, but they're heard. They roll like like thunder, crack light lightning and are as heavy as the cement slabs sliding into place over graves. She swings the blade and beheads it cleanly. Smooth as butter, not like hacking through something made of flesh and bones, the blue light on the edge of the blade bright against the muck around it. Once it's dead, she stomps back to the device. Seemingly back to normal.] If anyone needs me, just contact me.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Only the once so far, but yes. I perform his duties. But not here.

[though she has this feeling that she needs to all the same, because what even was this mess?]

So you don't need to fear me -- though mostly, children don't fear death.

Death doesn't scare me. Men do.

[ and being alone scares her most of all ]

[It's a good answer, and Susan frowns.]

And why do men scare you?

Because men are cruel.

They are, horribly cruel. I know that better than anyone, from what I've seen.

But once you're dead, you're untouchable, is that what you prefer to think?

[it's just a guess, she can't know for sure.]

No. Once you're dead, you're dead. They ought stay dead.

Yes... something like that. [and it's not meant cruelly. But she remembered his rants, about the duty, about only ever being the end, about not being able to mess things up no matter how much you want.

Even when it had hurt, and she'd wept so bitterly over her parents and that nothing could ever be done.]

So why do you say men are cruel but not fear death? Most people are afraid what can be done to them.

I'm not most people.

Neither am I.

Edited 2012-12-19 16:41 (UTC)

Then you ought know why.

Child, do you know the one thing more irritating then when people don't know anything? When they assume. Fears are much like people's personal taste. There's absolutely no way to account for them.

Besides telling me 'I should know' is a little too open ended for my sanity. I have the ability to remember everything, if not the capability, even the things that haven't happened yet.

That's not... [ What. Even. ] I'm sorry.

[Wait she'd gone and --]

Sorry. I mean... I'd rather not assume about you.

[ It takes her a while to speak again. It'd be easy to wear Nan's face or Arry's and answer. Cat and Beth had less to fear, but they remained wary of men. ]

Girls are thought easy prey. To rob and to rape. A little fear keeps me safe. [ read: I TRUST ~*~NO ONE~*~ ]

Yes, they are thought of like that aren't they? Idiots. Like women are any less capable of kissing someone with a blade.

[but the point is the same, and it is a good one. There's still a sharpness to her gaze, watching and then looking deeper again. As if, briefly, she could see too much.

And she's sure that the girl already knows what she's about to say, at least in some part of her. But it's her golden rule. From the monsters in the dark, to the monsters in men.]

But I always say the same thing to that -- don't be scared, not when you can be angry. Fear begets fear... but anger? Anger can be a tool. Anger doesn't just sit still. Angers makes you kick him in the trousers, when fear just makes you cower and suffer.

I don't cower.

[ And she carries anger enough to have frightened a seer two seconds after meeting the kid. ]

[The grin that spreads on her face is instant. She approves. Oh she approves.]

Good. That'll see you through everything.

[Never mind Susan is smothering her grief, her frustration with attacking zombies in fits of rage, and it's not helping her, but she isn't any better at stepping back from her pride either.]

Has it helped you?

... Yes. It has. Many times, it's just easier to act than to wallow.

Wallowing is never useful.

It seems dreadfully boring.

[Everyone should clearly just be like Susan and half break the universe when you're dealing with your grief.]

[ She lets herself smile a little. ]

That too.

[The smile is returned.]

By the way, are you here by yourself?

Yes.

iii sandglass | [video]

private filter;

private filter;

private filter;

private filter;

private filter;

private filter;

private filter;

private filter;

private filter;

private filter;

private filter;

private filter;

private filter;

private filter;

private filter;

private filter;

Re: private filter;

private filter;

private filter;

private filter;

private filter;

private filter;

private filter;

private filter;